Why is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up?

May 19, 2015

One of the more common and frustrating things that can happen to your Air Conditioning Unit is a freeze up. This is when a layer of ice forms on the outside of your AC unit. Whether you have a window unit or a central air system the causes and effects of this, as well as the solutions, are the same. The ice build up on your AC unit creates an inability to cool effectively, and puts stress on the compressor, which in time can lead to a costly repair or the need for a replacement compressor.

We understand that especially in Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor and the surrounding communities this can be frustrating.

There are a number of reasons for this, at Balance Point Heating and Air Conditioning we would like to walk you through a few.

Insufficient Air Flow: Anything that restricts the air flow in your unit will cause the system’s evaporator coil to freeze up. There are a few reasons that air may not be flowing efficiently. The most common problem is a dirty air filter, which is exactly what it sounds like. If you are running your AC unit continuously, we recommend replacing or cleaning the air filter once a month. Other air flow problems include blocked or closed ducts and vents, a faulty fan and/or dirt on the evaporator coils. Evaporator coils need regular cleaning, we recommend this once a season.

Low on Freon: Another thing that causes an AC freeze up is low refrigerant or Freon. This causes a drop in pressure in the evaporator coil which then allows moisture in the air to accumulate and freeze on the coil. Low refrigerant or Freon is caused by a leak. If the cause of your freeze up is a low refrigerant you need to contact Balance Point Heating and Air Conditioning and one of our certified technicians will assist in the repair. This includes finding and repairing the leak and refilling your refrigerant levels.

Outdoor Temperature: Air conditioners are designed to run in a specific temperature range. Most of them will not run well below 60°F. Often a freeze up occurs because night-time temperatures are dropping too low for the unit to function properly. When the air its too cool the pressure inside the system will drop and will cause a freeze up.

If you are in Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Greeley, Timnath, Johnstown, Laporte, Bellvue, Berthoud, Eaton or the surrounding communities. Call us today or request service online.